How to Configure Ubuntu on PS3

Setup Monitor:

The first thing you should do is set up your monitor to initiate the correct resolution at boot. To determine the correct video mode for your screen, use a tool called ps3videomode. It can be run from a terminal window ([Applications] > [Accessories] > [Terminal]) by typing:

If you have a “Full HD” monitor with 1920×1080 resolution, use a 1080i or 1080p mode. If your TV is “HD Ready”, use one of the 720p modes (3, 8, 35 or 40).

Testing video modes:

To check how a resolution works on your system you need to stop and start the Gnome desktop manager (gdm) between each test. Pressing Alt + F1 will give you a text console in which you enter your username and password. Now stop gdm: sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop Set a temporary video using ps3videomode -v and a number, for instance:

(both commands represent various 1080p modes. You need to check with the table above which number corresponds with your monitor).

Start gdm using the new videomode with sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start
Make the resolution permanent When you have found a decent videomode, make the setting permanent by having Ubuntu load this mode on each startup. In a terminal window, type:

Replace the 0 with the number key for your videomode. In nano, save the file with Ctrl + o. Hit enter to confirm. Then Ctrl + x to exit nano. You should now be able to reboot your system with your resolution of choice.

Internet Wireless:

Wireless works great on WEP-encrypted networks, but WPA is problematic. If your WiFi is WEP-encrypted, it can be enabled by clicking on the network icon (top right panel) and selecting manual configuration.

Go to the Wireless connection properties, and type in the name of your network (ESSID). Select your WEP password type and enter the key for your router.

In Connection Settings, choose Automatic configuration (DHCP). Click OK, and enable the connection by clicking the radio button for Wireless. You should now have wifi Internet access.

Applications:

Running Ubuntu on a PS3 can be quite resource intensive due to the low amount of RAM available on the system, so try to minimize the number of running services. From [System] > [Preferences] > [Sessions] you can disable all of the startup programs in the list that you don’t need (if you have already configured your Internet connection with WEP, you can even disable the Network Manager).

You can also consider installing the more lightweight XFCE desktop manager for Ubuntu by typing: